Made up of Shelby American employees who were with the company from 1962 to 1965; Peter Brock, Jim Marietta and Ted Sutton, will begin building 36 brand new Shelby GT350Rs in the fall of 2017. However, this time the cars will feature improvements originally planned for the car back in ’65 but were squeezed out by time constraints.

“Much like Carroll Shelby’s original Cobra, the 1965 Ford Shelby GT350R changed the performance car landscape,” said Jim Marietta, CEO of Original Venice Crew Mustangs. “By adapting lessons that the Shelby team learned racing Cobras and Daytona Coupes, our Crew at Shelby American turned a ‘mule into a racehorse’ as Carroll Shelby would say.”

The improvements include a redesigned front valance, a reworked plexiglass rear window, and most importantly, an experimental Ford Advanced Vehicle independent rear suspension originally designed by Peter Brock.

Each OVC built continuation Ford Shelby GT350R will feature a spartan race bred interior like the original, along with a competition prepared cast iron block engine–supplied by the Carroll Shelby Engine Company–hooked to a period correct 4-speed transmission and an authentic Shelby shifter. All of them will be finished in Ford’s iconic Wimbledon White paint.

The OVC crew first got together back in 2015 and agreed to build the ‘R’ model that should have been. Testing of the one-off Shelby started at Willow Springs Raceway in the spring of 2015 as the team worked to develop the car’s suspension and refine its handling.

According to Sutton, people began to ask if the car was for sale. “After a landslide of inquiries, we decided to see if there was a good case for offering a limited run of them.”

While evaluating the program, OVC secured licenses from Carroll Shelby Licensing and Ford Motor Company to build the cars, making them the only company with such a pedigree. Each car will wear a Shelby serial number with documentation submitted to the Shelby American Automobile Club Registry, and the official Shelby American Registry.

]]>http://www.autoguide.com/auto-news/2017/08/36-brand-new-1965-shelby-gt350rs-are-coming.html/feed0more]]>Top 10 Most Loved Automakers on Social Media: 2017http://www.autoguide.com/auto-news/2017/08/top-10-most-loved-automakers-on-social-media-2017.html
http://www.autoguide.com/auto-news/2017/08/top-10-most-loved-automakers-on-social-media-2017.html#respondWed, 16 Aug 2017 12:45:06 +0000http://www.autoguide.com/?p=532266Top 10 Most Loved Automakers on Social Media: 2017Here are the car brands that get the most social media love. more]]>

A study has been released revealing the top 100 most loved brands on social media.

The NetBase Brand Passion Report: Top 100 Global Brands Love List takes a close look at the brands consumers express the most love for on social media. The third annual report examined more than 367 million social media mentions and this year and NetBase found consumers are increasingly vocal about their favorite brands, with an increase of more than 40 percent in brand love via social media compared to last year.

10. Porsche

In this year’s study, Porsche ranked 57th overall and had a total of 791,965 mentions.

9. Ferrari

As prestigious as Ferrari is, it didn’t even crack the top 5 most loved automakers on social media. The Italian automaker ranked 53rd overall with 875,782 mentions.

8. Audi

Audi ranked 50th overall among all brands in this year’s study with 920,184 mentions.

7. Nissan

Not far ahead of Audi is Nissan, which came in 49th place overall. The Japanese automaker had 946,270 mentions.

6. Mercedes-Benz

Beating out its German rival Audi, Mercedes-Benz ranked 35th among all brands. The company had 1,275,495 mentions on social media.

5. Honda

Honda may have gotten a bit of a boost thanks to the new Civic and Civic Type R. The Japanese automaker ranked 33rd overall with 1,316,413 mentions.

4. Toyota

Toyota manages to stay ahead of rival Honda when it comes to love on social media and was ranked 32nd overall with 1,371,206 mentions.

3. BMW

Of all the German automakers, BMW tops the list while being ranked 31st overall with 1,386,438 mentions.

2. Tesla

This is the first year Tesla has made the Love List. According to NetBase, the American automaker, which ranked 28th overall, “has experienced an outpouring of love for its brand and cars, including the highly anticipated Tesla Model 3.” Tesla had 1,536,672 mentions.

1. Ford

The most loved automaker on this year’s Love List is Ford, which ranked 19th overall. The American automaker had 1,781,391 mentions and finished ahead of well-known brands such as LEGO, Starbucks, Microsoft, Coca-Cola, Google, and Pepsi.

]]>http://www.autoguide.com/auto-news/2017/08/top-10-most-loved-automakers-on-social-media-2017.html/feed0more]]>Here’s How Ford Plans on Hiding the Steering Wheel and Pedals in a Self-Driving Carhttp://www.autoguide.com/auto-news/2017/08/here-s-how-ford-plans-on-hiding-the-steering-wheel-and-pedals-in-a-self-driving-car.html
http://www.autoguide.com/auto-news/2017/08/here-s-how-ford-plans-on-hiding-the-steering-wheel-and-pedals-in-a-self-driving-car.html#commentsWed, 16 Aug 2017 12:17:05 +0000http://www.autoguide.com/?p=532160Here’s How Ford Plans on Hiding the Steering Wheel and Pedals in a Self-Driving CarFord wants to have a removable steering wheel and pedals in its autonomous cars. more]]> [See image gallery at www.autoguide.com]

A new Ford patent application has been published for a removable steering wheel and pedals.

Ford is aiming to offer self-driving cars by 2021, and the American automaker plans to not have a steering wheel or pedals in those cars. But until then, they’re necessary for testing purposes as Ford continues to develop its self-driving tech.

The company’s patent application for a removable steering wheel and pedals is interesting because it accounts for the fact that driver-side airbags are in the steering wheel. For safety purposes, especially during testing, removing the steering wheel means there’s no longer a driver-side airbag. Ford’s patent application addresses the issue by using a filler module that includes an airbag when the steering wheel is removed.

Although the patent application seems targeted towards test vehicles where a human may need to intervene, Ford does mention the idea that “some vehicle owners may prefer the familiarity of being in a vehicle having a steering wheel,” suggesting that Ford may offer the option of manual control with its first-generation of self-driving cars.

]]>http://www.autoguide.com/auto-news/2017/08/here-s-how-ford-plans-on-hiding-the-steering-wheel-and-pedals-in-a-self-driving-car.html/feed1more]]>Poll: Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 or Shelby GT350 Mustang?http://www.autoguide.com/auto-news/2017/08/poll-chevrolet-camaro-zl1-or-shelby-gt350-mustang-.html
http://www.autoguide.com/auto-news/2017/08/poll-chevrolet-camaro-zl1-or-shelby-gt350-mustang-.html#commentsMon, 14 Aug 2017 15:07:23 +0000http://www.autoguide.com/?p=528494Poll: Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 or Shelby GT350 Mustang?Old rivals, new century. Ford vs. Chevy, Mustang or Camaro? This may be a decades-long battle but it’s one we LOVE rehashing. Which of these legendary Detroit bruisers would you rather park in your driveway, the scorching-hot ZL1 or scalpel-sharp GT350? Up first, the bow-tie offering. This alpha Camaro features an LT4 V8 that’s rated... more]]>

Old rivals, new century.

Ford vs. Chevy, Mustang or Camaro? This may be a decades-long battle but it’s one we LOVE rehashing. Which of these legendary Detroit bruisers would you rather park in your driveway, the scorching-hot ZL1 or scalpel-sharp GT350?

Up first, the bow-tie offering. This alpha Camaro features an LT4 V8 that’s rated at 650 horsepower. Displacing a mighty 6.2-liters, it’s enhanced by a belt-driven supercharger that helps it crank out an equal measure of torque, which peaks at just 3,600 RPM. A six-speed manual or 10-speed automatic transmission is offered.

As for the Mustang, it’s down significantly on displacement (to say nothing of forced induction) as well as both power and torque. Underhood, it features a naturally aspirated 5.2-liter flat-plane-crank V8 delivers a lusty 526 ponies with 429 lb.-ft. of twist. A Tremec six-speed manual is the sole gearbox offered.

Obviously, the Camaro is going to be faster as it has 124 more horses in its stable, though it’s estimated to be about 60 pounds heavier. In ZL1 trim it can reach 60 miles an hour in as little as 3.5 seconds. The Ford takes around 4.3 to achieve the same velocity.

When it comes to pricing, the ZL1 coupe starts around $63,000, which makes it around six grand more expensive than the Shelby GT350. Is it worth that much? That’s your job to decide. Compare these cars here and remember to vote down below!

New spy photos prove once again that Ford is readying its own Chevrolet Colorado ZR2 competitor.

Spy photographers managed to get detailed photos of the prototype, which is testing on 285/70/17 BFGoodrich All-Terrain TA tires. But perhaps the biggest surprise was when our spy photographers looked underneath the truck and saw underbody camouflage, which means Ford is trying really hard to conceal details of the suspension. The photographers can also confirm this particular prototype was testing with a diesel engine under the hood.

Compared to other Ford Ranger prototypes, the front end of this tester is much more aggressive, similar to how the F-150 Raptor is quite different than the standard pickup. Other changes our photographers could note include wider fenders, different shocks, and higher ride height.

The new Ford Ranger is expected to arrive sometime in 2019, and you can expect to see the Raptor version sometime afterward.

Ford is working with police departments to resolve the issue with its Police Interceptor SUVs.

Ford has assembled five squads of investigators to help police departments cope with the growing number of reports of exhaust fumes incapacitating on-duty officers in Explorer-based Interceptor Utility vehicles. While the problem appears to exist in civilian spec SUVs as well, police vehicles are getting the most attention from Ford and the press, especially after the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration cited three wrecked patrol vehicles and numerous drivers looking green in the gills.

The NHTSA ramped up its engineering analysis since then, which could lead to a recall on all Explorer-based models from 2011 to 2017. But Ford hopes to get out ahead of the issue by making good on an earlier promise, dispatching its own investigative teams to ensure police departments don’t look to other automakers the next time they need to replenish their fleets.

According to Ford, it’s already making headway in solving the problem.

Bill Gubing, chief engineer for the Explorer, told the Detroit Free Press Tuesday that Ford investigators are discovering police vehicles with holes and exposed areas near the taillights or rear hatch that could allow carbon monoxide to seep into the cabin of some Interceptor Utility vehicles.

The manufacturer blames improperly installed aftermarket modifications — common on patrol cars — for the improperly sealed cabins. This would explain why the issue affects police vehicles more often than their civilian counterparts, distancing the company from the problem.

Ford has already shored up vehicles at the Auburn Police Department in Massachusetts. Last week the department was forced to remove several SUV from service after carbon monoxide exposure hospitalized three officers. It has since moved onto Austin, Texas, where the local police stopped using SUVs entirely after eight officers became ill.

A department in Portsmouth, New Hampshire expressed similar concerns this week and is considering suspending usage of its own Interceptor Utility fleet until Ford gets around to helping them.

“We are all concerned from the front-line officers all the way up to the chief,” explained Eric Benson, Portsmouth’s training officer. “We want to get this solved. We certainly don’t want to wait until something happens. We want to take all measures we can to ensure that not only all the officers are safe but the public as well.”

Ford stated it would pay for the cost of specific repairs to any police vehicle in any city that experienced similar issues.

“By no means is our investigation complete,” Gubing said in a statement. “We’re doing everything we can to figure out what issues are out there and how we can help.”

The Blue Oval currently carries the largest share of the police vehicle market — but less than it did when the venerable Crown Victoria was still in production. Still, when you have a feather in your cap, you’re going to want to leave it there. Ford’s scramble to right the wrong, as well as its continued broadening of its law enforcement lineup, shows it aims to keep the police on its good side.

Gubing said he doesn’t see any reason for worry among Explorer drivers not wearing a badge. “From a carbon monoxide perspective, the police duty cycle is very different than what a retail customer drives,” he said.

“It creates more combustion gas at the back of the vehicle because the engine’s working harder and faster,” Gubing continued. “At the same time, there are modifications done to the back of the vehicle that certainly provide leak paths when those modifications are not done properly.”

With no holes drilled to affix additional lighting or communication equipment on civilian SUVs, Ford assumes the general public is fine. However, that won’t stop the NHTSA from investigating more than 2,700 complaints of unpleasant exhaust odors in Explorer cabins.

]]>http://www.autoguide.com/auto-news/2017/08/ford-identifies-source-of-dangerous-carbon-monoxide-leak-in-police-vehicles.html/feed1more]]>Top 10 Best Family Cars for Under $30,000http://www.autoguide.com/auto-news/2017/07/top-10-best-family-cars-for-under-30-000.html
http://www.autoguide.com/auto-news/2017/07/top-10-best-family-cars-for-under-30-000.html#respondThu, 10 Aug 2017 14:33:21 +0000http://www.autoguide.com/?p=508756Top 10 Best Family Cars for Under $30,000AutoGuide.com looks at both new and used models for under $30,000. more]]>

Although crossovers and SUVs are starting to dominate the market when it comes to family cars, there are still a few minivans available that deserve your attention.

It’s not easy shopping for a family car and keeping your budget under $30,000, but you might be surprised at how many options there are out there. Also, it’s worth noting that a couple great family cars miss the mark for costing more than $30,000 including destination – like the Honda Odyssey and Toyota Sienna. They’re both worth a look if you’re willing to go slightly over the budget.

Since most three-row crossovers and SUVs cost over $30,000, we decided to take a look at certified pre-owned (CPO) vehicles as well. You can probably grab yourself a good deal on the used market for one of these family cars if you’re not adamant about getting a brand new model.

10. Hyundai Santa Fe Sport (New)

Unfortunately, the larger Hyundai Santa Fe starts at $31,750, but if you don’t need the extra room, the Santa Fe Sport is a great option with a starting price of $26,245. That also makes it one of the most affordable vehicles on the list.

9. Acura MDX (Used)

If you want to hop into a brand new Acura MDX, you’ll be shelling out around $45,000. But shop on Acura’s CPO website and you can find used ones for under $30,000. In fact, you might even manage to get your hands on a 2015 model year, although it will have around 50,000 miles.

8. Nissan Rogue

As one of the most popular crossovers available, the Nissan Rogue is priced from $25,380, making it the cheapest brand new car on the list. If you’re looking to add a third row, it is available on the Family Package for $1,190 additional, which still keeps it well under $30,000. There’s even a hybrid variant available with a starting price of $27,600.

7. Chrysler Pacifica* (New)

The Chrysler Pacifica cheats a little to get on the list. That’s because the minivan starts from $30,090 including destination, and while that barely puts it over the $30,000 threshold, the Pacifica is too good of a family car to leave off the list. It heralds from the same automaker that brought years of minivan expertise to the market with the Dodge Grand Caravan and Chrysler Town & Country, and it shows with how complete of a package the Pacifica is.

6. Chevrolet Tahoe (Used)

For decades, the full-sized Chevrolet Tahoe has transported families all across North America. A brand new model will set you back $48,510, which means your best bet is to search the used car market if you want one. There are plenty of 2013 model year units available for under $30,000 and if you’re lucky, you might be able to find a 2014 model.

5. Kia Sedona (New)

Priced from $27,850, the Kia Sedona is one of the most affordable new minivans available in today’s market. The Korean automaker also has a variety of crossovers and SUVs available, including the Kia Sorento that starts from $26,740.

4. 2017 Chevrolet Traverse / 2017 GMC Acadia (New)

There’s a new 2018 Chevrolet Traverse getting ready to hit the market, which means you can likely find a good deal on a 2017 model year as dealers look to clear them off the lot. If you don’t absolutely need the latest and greatest, the 2017 Chevrolet Traverse starts from $29,595. The new 2018 model year has a starting price of $30,875.

There’s also the GMC Acadia that’s all-new for the 2017 model year with a starting price of $29,995 – barely sneaking in.

3. Mazda CX-9 (Used)

A brand new Mazda CX-9 is a bit off the $30,000 mark with a starting price of $32,460. But that means it’s not too difficult to find a used or CPO model for under $30,000 or even in the low-$20,000 range.

2. Toyota Highlander (Used)

A brand new 2017 Toyota Highlander will set you back $31,590, but given that Toyota’s known for its reliability, it’s not a bad choice to purchase used. CPO models are available between $20,000 to $30,000 depending on model year and mileage.

1. Ford Expedition (Used)

A new 2017 Ford Expedition will set you back $48,320 (including destination), but there are quite a few gems on the used car market. You can even get yourself a 2016 model for under $30,000 through Ford’s CPO program by searching its website.

Ford has announced that the 2018 F-150 has best-in-class payload, towing, and gas mileage.

The new pickup powered by the second-generation 2.7-liter EcoBoost engine gets an EPA-estimated 20 mpg in the city and 26 mpg on the highway for a 22-mpg combined rating, making it best-in-class for fuel economy. Gas mileage is boosted thanks to the segment-exclusive SelectShift 10-speed automatic transmission.

The 3.5-liter EcoBoost model has best-in-class towing at 13,200 pounds, while the 5.0-liter V8 model features best-in-class payload capacity at 3,270 lbs.

For the 2018 model year, the F-150 comes standard with a 3.3-liter V6 engine providing 290 horsepower and 265 pound-feet of torque, which is 8 hp and 12 lb-ft of torque more than the previous model year. While horsepower for the 2.7-liter EcoBoost V6 remains unchanged, the engine does generate 25 lb-ft more torque than last year’s model, bringing it to 400 lb-ft. The 5.0-liter V8 is also improved, now with 395 hp and 400 lb-ft of torque, which is 10 hp and 13 lb-ft more compared to the 2017 model.

The new 2018 Ford F-150 goes on sale this fall, with pricing starting from $28,675 including destination.

“The Ford F-150 lineup again delivers on its promise to give full-size truck customers even more value, functionality and smart technology innovations, with engines with best-in-class towing, payload and fuel economy,” said Todd Eckert, Ford truck group marketing manager. “Our new F-150 highlights Ford’s commitment to its hardworking truck customers and how we listen to their demands for their new F-150 to be even tougher, even smarter and even more capable for work and play.”

Ford is giving gear heads the opportunity to drive the Focus RS, but to do so, they’ll have to be fast in Forza Motorsport 6.

Those attending Gamescom 2017 in Cologne, Germany from August 22 to August 26 will have the opportunity to win a Ford Focus RS track experience. To compete in the challenge, gamers will have to try to keep pace with the real-world Focus RS lap time set at the Spa-Francorchamps circuit by Ford Chip Ganassi Racing driver, Harry Tincknell. The fastest “Tame the Track” competitors on August 23, 24, and 25 will be flown by helicopter to drive the Ford Focus RS on the track for real with coaching from Ticnknell himself.

Winners will also receive a pair of Recaro seats and prizes from B&O Play. Ford also said there will be other opportunities to win a Focus RS driving experience during Gamescom 2017 for attendees who share selfies from Ford’s on-stand GIF station using #tamethetrack.

Along with the Focus RS, the American automaker will also have the GT race car and an all-new Fiesta ST-Line on display at its show stand during Gamescom.

Ford believes emerging Chinese automaker Lynk & Co’s name sounds too similar to that of its Lincoln brand.

The American automaker has been granted an extension by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office to formally oppose the trademark, with a November 15 deadline to file its opposition. A Lincoln spokesman confirmed to Automotive News the automaker plans on taking legal actions to prevent Lynk & Co from using its infringing trademark, believing that the name as it stands will confuse customers. “The Lincoln brand has a rich 100-year history and we intend to protect its reputation,” he said.

Lynk & Co is a new automaker from Zhejiang Geely, the China-based parent company of Volvo. Recently, Geely and Volvo announced that Lynk & Co will be divided 50/50 between Geely Automobile and Volvo, with all three companies sharing technology and platforms.

]]>http://www.autoguide.com/auto-news/2017/08/one-chinese-automaker-is-causing-quite-the-fuss-at-ford.html/feed2more]]>Ford Wants Mustang Owners to be Nicer to Their Neighborshttp://www.autoguide.com/auto-news/2017/08/ford-wants-mustang-owners-nicer-neighbours.html
http://www.autoguide.com/auto-news/2017/08/ford-wants-mustang-owners-nicer-neighbours.html#respondTue, 01 Aug 2017 15:38:51 +0000http://www.autoguide.com/?p=526248Ford Wants Mustang Owners to be Nicer to Their NeighborsThe new Mustang GT has a 'Good Neighbour Mode'. more]]>With a 460-horsepower 5.0-liter V8 under the hood, the 2018 Ford Mustang GT is one loud car.

Ford doesn’t want its customers to disturb their neighbors with their muscle car’s loud start-up noise, so it’s developed an industry-first quiet start it has dubbed Good Neighbor Mode. Using active valves in the exhaust, the mode allows Mustang GT or GT350 owners to start their car up and leave their neighborhood quietly without disturbing their neighbors. Once they are out on the open road, they can deactivate the system and let the V8 breathe.

“Active valve performance exhaust gives Mustang owners the best of both worlds – that classic Mustang sound, and the ability to not wake up your neighbors when you leave the house early in the morning or arrive home late at night,” said Ford exhaust development engineer Matt Flis.

The system was thought up by former head of vehicle engineering at Ford Steve von Foerster after a run-in with the police. He started his GT350 up early one morning and a neighbor, disturbed by the noise, put their morning cup of coffee down and called 911 on him. He managed to avoid getting a ticket, but the experience gave him an idea. After a brief conversation with his fellow engineers, they came up with the concept for the quiet exhaust mode.

Of course, owners will have still have to exercise courteousness and actually use the mode, which if we know Mustang owners, they probably won’t do. At least now if you see a new Mustang disturbing the peace late at night or early in the morning, you know Ford’s done all they can to get their pony car to pipe down.

]]>http://www.autoguide.com/auto-news/2017/08/ford-wants-mustang-owners-nicer-neighbours.html/feed0more]]>NHTSA Expands Ford Explorer Probe After Reports of Carbon Monoxide Exposure in Cabinhttp://www.autoguide.com/auto-news/2017/08/nhtsa-expands-ford-explorer-probe-after-probable-police-gassings.html
http://www.autoguide.com/auto-news/2017/08/nhtsa-expands-ford-explorer-probe-after-probable-police-gassings.html#respondTue, 01 Aug 2017 00:35:54 +0000http://www.autoguide.com/?p=526170NHTSA Expands Ford Explorer Probe After Reports of Carbon Monoxide Exposure in CabinThe U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is inching its way toward what could be a massive recall of Ford Explorers. more]]>

The U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is inching its way toward what could be a massive recall of Ford Explorers.

An initial probe kicked off in 2016 after owners entered numerous complaints of an unpleasant exhaust smell in the cabin into the NHTSA database.

Formal grievances swelled into the hundreds by the end of the year and continued growing into 2017. The issue was so serious, one California police officer faulted it for overpowering him while behind the wheel of his Explorer-based Interceptor Utility, resulting in a crash last February. He wasn’t alone. On Thursday, the NHTSA announced at least three other wrecks could be attributed to carbon monoxide exposure inside the vehicle. All in all, the agency stated it is aware of 41 injuries and over 2,700 complaints linked to the issue.

While the injuries are mostly instances of nausea, severe headache, and dizziness, those symptoms pose a serious risk while driving. Concerned the problem could result in another crash, the NHTSA has broadened the probe to encompasses 1.33-million vehicles from 2011 to 2017 and upgraded it to a complete engineering analysis.

According to Reuters, the agency says it has “no substantive data or actual evidence,” such as a blood test “supporting a claim that any of the alleged injury or crash allegations were the result of carbon monoxide poisoning.” But early testing hints that CO levels may be present in the cabin, rising to elevated levels in certain driving scenarios.

Proof aside, the sheer number of complaints is enough to warrant further investigation. Additionally, the Austin Police Department pulled 40 Interceptor SUVs from service this month after eight officers became ill, reportedly due to carbon monoxide exposure.

The NHTSA says it is “actively working with law enforcement agencies that use these vehicles to determine if this issue is related to a potential safety defect.” It noted that police variants of the Explorer suffer from manifold cracking, “which appear to present a low level of detectability, and may explain the exhaust odor.”

Ford has issued multiple service bulletins related to the exhaust issue, hoping to address complaints from police fleets and other owners. The automaker says it will cooperate with the agency. In its most recent statement, Ford claims a dedicated company team is working with police and the NHTSA on the problem.